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All About Redfern Farm and Puget Island
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It's easy to get to Puget Island from Cathlamet, Washington by the Julia Butler Hanson Bridge.
Cathlamet, only 4 flat miles away from Redfern Farm, is the Wahkiakum County seat. In town are groceries, restaurants, pharmancy and shopping. The Town boasts a tennis court, golf course, a full service marina and the Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum.
Picnicing on the old city dock or at Judge Strong Park provide good vantage points to view activity on the river.
Many of the pioneer buildings and houses are still in use in the old part of town. The Julia Butler Hanson House is has been recently restored, even when not open, a walk thru the gardens is a pleasant diversion.
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Or by The Ferry Wahkiakum from Westport, Oregon
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Puget Island is uniquely located for day tripping to Mt St Helens, the Washington and Oregon Coasts and several wildlife refuges in the region.
The Island is part of the Columbian Whitetailed Deer Refuge. The refuge headquarters is located near Skamokawa, Washington. These small white tail deer subspecies are considered "threatened".
In fact, most of the estuary, its waters and islands, is part of the National Lewis and Clark Wildlife Refuge.
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On the Pacific flyway, the Lower Columbia River Estuary and Puget Island makes for good bird watching. Many water fowl make the waterways their home.
Redfern Farm gardens are set up to encourage our feathered friends. Tweety birds are especially welcomed
There are resident species, summer birds and wintering birds. Sometimes the migrants go through quickly, its a matter of being out at the right monent. My monthly sightings are listed with ebird.com.
Relaxing on the deck is a good place to watch for them all.
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Puget Island is part of the Heritage Canoe Trail, the National Bicycle Trail and the Lewis and Clark Trail. With 27 miles of flat paved roads and limited traffic, the Island is family friendly for walking, hiking, jogging and bicycling, not to mention bird watching.
Wind surfing and hobbie kat sailing are available at locations along State Hiway 4 and at Skamokawa Vista Park.
Canoeing and kayaking in the River and the many sloughs are popular activies.
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In this watery world, as one would expect, fishing for both salmon and sturgeon is a popular recreational activity. Near the ferry landing on Puget Island is the public fishing site for "on shore" fishing, no boat required. A popular place for locals and visitors alike to meet and swap stories, whether or not the fish are biting.
The Elochoman Slough Marina, Cathlamet, provides safe harbor for those in boats.
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